MINERAL RIDGE Schools lose officer due to lack of funding

MINERAL RIDGE -- The new school year started without one familiar face in Weathersfield Local Schools.
The district no longer has a police department juvenile resource officer working daily at the schools.
Patrolman Todd Stitt had been the resource officer the past three years.
Cost of the position was paid by a $125,000 federal grant under the Cops in Schools program funded by the U.S. Department of Justice.
Weathersfield Township Police Chief Joseph Consiglio said the department did not apply for another grant for 2002 because it doesn't really need another officer. The position is being eliminated because the department cannot afford to pay for it after the grant period runs out.
Consiglio said school board members also did not believe the district could afford to participate when the police department offered a 50-50 split on a new officer's salary, which would have cost the schools about $20,000.
Consiglio said the department stands ready to serve the schools at any time, adding, "We are in constant communication with all three building principals."
Capt. Mike Naples continues to handle juvenile cases for the township, which includes working with the schools. Stitt remains as a patrolman.
Other plans
The police department plans a fingerprinting program for all kindergartners at Seaborn Elementary School and any first-graders missed last year.
Police also plan to fingerprint kindergartners who live in Weathersfield but who attend Niles or Girard schools.